As a teen, tennis star Mary Joe Fernandez wowed crowds with wins in top junior tournaments. A few years later, asthma left her too winded to finish games. In this Lifescript exclusive, Fernandez, now 39 and a TV sports commentator, reveals how she fought back and captured Olympic gold...

The last thing a rising tennis star expects to hear when she’s turning pro is, “You have asthma.”

But that’s what doctors told Mary Joe Fernandez nearly two decades ago when the 20-year-old tennis talent was pushing her game to the next level.

The diagnosis shocked Fernandez and her family. During her childhood and teen years, she suffered frequently from colds and bronchitis, but the illnesses rarely stopped her from competing. Doctors didn't connect Fernandez’s fatigue and coughing to asthma because her symptoms mimicked other conditions. And she never required rescue medication or hospitalization, as many asthmatic people do.

Asthma, an inflammatory breathing disorder, affects 16 million adults and 7 million children in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than 4,000 people die annually from the condition, which typically presents symptoms such as wheezing, tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing.

For Fernandez, asthma wasn’t a career buster. In fact, treatment allowed her to get into full gear. She won two gold medals for doubles: at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and the 1996 games in Atlanta. When she retired in 2000, she had captured seven singles titles.

Though no longer competing, Fernandez is busy as a tennis commentator for ESPN and CBS Sports and mother to Isabella Maria, 8, and Nicholas Cooper, 6, who also has asthma.

In this Lifescript exclusive, the former tennis star reveals insights on coping with a chronic illness and how to care for children with asthma.

Why did it take so long for your asthma to be diagnosed?After high school I started training full time and couldn’t keep up. I got sick all the time and doctors thought I had bronchitis. I’d be out of breath and coughing.

Coaches would say to my parents, “This isn’t normal. She’s very young. She should be able to last a long time.”

What was your biggest worry before the diagnosis?Not knowing what was wrong with me – why I couldn’t keep up, was always out of breath and getting sick.

Sometimes I had to pull out of tournaments.

Were you worried what people would think when you couldn't play?People speculated, saying, “Maybe it’s psychosomatic. Maybe she’s nervous and can’t handle what’s happening.”

That was very tough.

Did you think it was all in your head too?I'd get upset and then doubt myself. I’d think, Is this something I'm doing to myself?Maybe I'm weak mentally.

The same happened later when I had endometriosis. I would say, “I have a lot of pain.” Then people would say, “Maybe it’s all in her head” – until I had surgery to find out what was wrong.

How did you overcome the negative talk?I said to myself, “Whether in my head or not, this is happening. The symptoms are real, so I have to do something about them.”

How were you finally diagnosed?My parents took me to the Mayo Clinic. After running tests, [doctors] diagnosed me with asthma, which was a little shocking and scary at first.

Why scary?I had never had a severe asthma attack. I wondered, Am I going to be able to keep playing tennis?And if I can, how much? Will it affect my training?

Once I learned I could resume a normal, athletic life with proper treatment, it ended up being a blessing.

Most people don’t see chronic illness as a blessing. Why did you?It was a relief because [after treatment] I was able to breathe properly and stopped getting sick.

It was wonderful to go full-out [on the court] and not worry about catching my breath and being exhausted.

What’s your treatment?Each person’s treatment plan is individual. In my case, I was religious about carrying my inhaler with me everywhere, morning and night, to be prepared.

Once you know you have asthma, you have to be proactive about it, not reactive.

Did having the disorder make it easier to spot your son's asthma?I was more alert to [the possibility of my children having it] and knew what to look for.

But as a first-time mom, I was a bit of a hypochondriac. I looked for signs early.

With my daughter, I kept thinking, Maybe she has it. Fortunately, she doesn’t.

With my son, I’d tell my husband, “I think he has it.”

What made you think Nicholas had it?We live in a cold climate, which is an asthma trigger. He was wheezing, and I recognized the prolonged cough.

Were you scared for him?I wasn’t, because of my experience. But for most parents, it’s scary, especially when they have to leave their child with someone else.

It’s important to give whoever is taking care of your child – the teacher, school nurse, babysitter or family member – an action plan that includes a list of triggers, symptoms and instructions in case your child experiences a problem in their care.

So you weren’t in denial? I’m better equipped than most parents [to recognize asthma], but I can see how others would think it was something else.

Nobody’s going to fight harder than Mom or Dad. Parents should ask the right questions, and be prepared and armed with knowledge about asthma and its treatments. That way you can be confident that your doctor will develop the best plan.

How serious is Nicholas’ asthma?He doesn’t have a severe case and has never missed school because of it. But just to be safe, I have held him back a little with sports and really exerting himself.

Right now, he swims, bikes and plays tennis.

Exercises that have a little exertion or intervals of effort are best.

What brings on asthma symptoms? Triggers are individual too. For my son, cold – more than heat – is a trigger. Pollen in spring is tough for him too.

For me, smoke is really bad. If anybody smokes near me I start to wheeze.

You really have to do homework and figure out the triggers.

What can help kids manage their asthma? It’s important for children to know they have asthma so they can be aware of symptoms and triggers. That way they can be proactive [with treatment].

My son knows to say, “Mommy, I need my medicine.”

It’s also good for kids to know that asthma is common. I’ve heard Nicholas say, “Oh, I just have what my mom has.” He doesn’t feel like he stands out.

The more you empower kids to say, “I’m not feeling so good,” [the better]. Then you feel that much more prepared and organized.

Consult your doctor if you think you or your child is experiencing asthma.

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